The Bayer Leverkusen supporters present at the BayArena on Thursday were treated to a proper spectacle as their team returned from two goals down to beat Qarabag and secure a place in the Europa League quarterfinals.
The visitors from Azerbaijan took the lead in the 58th minute through Abdellah Zoubir, and despite seeing defender Elvin Cafarguliyev sent off in the 64th, they doubled it three minutes later through Juninho. Jeremie Frimpong pulled one back for Xabi Alonso s team with 18 minutes on the clock.
But as the 90th minute expired, Die Werfself were still on course for their first defeat of the season in any competition. The stadium therefore exploded in the third minute of stoppage time when Patrik Schick leveled the score, and it was pure joy in the stands when …
What the papers say
The Daily Mail reports Arsenal have made an improved bid for Chelsea forward Kai Havertz. The Gunners are set to offer £60m for the 24-year-old, after previously having a £50m offer turned down. The extra funds could be just enough for the deal to get over the line, as the Blues seek to bolster their finances for their own recruitment plans.
Fulham are eager to sign Manchester United midfielder Fred, according to The Telegraph. It is believed the 30-year-old Brazil international would be open to the move, however bosses at United reportedly value Fred at a higher price than Fulham are willing to pay.
The Sun says Everton are looking at Crystal Palace keeper Sam Johnstone. It is said to be a pre-emptive move, ahead of an expected approach for curren…
Borussia Moenchengladbach will remain in the Bundesliga after a come-from-behind 1-1 draw at Bochum in the relegation playoff on Wednesday.
Lucien Favre s side earned a 1-0 win at home on May 19 in the first leg, which proved to be the difference after forward Marco Reus struck a 73rd-minute goal to force a draw in Bochum, and a 2-1 win on aggregate for the Bundesliga side.
It came after Moenchengladbach defender Havard Nordtveit put the ball into his own net midway through the first half to level the tie.
Reus goal was worthy of a tie-clincher as he was put through after a fine build-up, smartly placing his left-foot finish into the bottom corner of goalkeeper Andreas Luthe s net.
Both teams struck the crossbar in a first half that saw Bochum have more …
Malky Mackay has left Watford to become the new manager of Championship rivals Cardiff City, succeeding Dave Jones.
Scot Mackay, 39, has agreed a three-year contract with the Welsh club, who have been without a head coach since the dismissal of Jones on May 30.
Cardiff must pay Watford an undisclosed sum in compensation for Mackay, who had agreed a new three-year contract at Vicarage Road in March this year.
I see a club with massive ambition, an infrastructure that is exciting, a beautiful stadium, great training facilities and a club that wants to go places, Mackay said at his unveiling as Cardiff manager on Friday.
It s well documented the finances we ve been working under at Watford.
Watford over the last couple of years have fought hard …